Seriously it's been so long since the last game that I've almost totally lost interest. I will say it's rare that there are so many playes and staff on both sides I really don't ever want to see win a cup.

Best case scenario? richards and carter get shut out (ZERO points, -15 between them) and kings still win. In spite of them not because of them.

aside from them being a divisional opponent and the residual "trap" resentment, the devils are a more likable team across the board. and philly already forgot they have a hockey team, so no one's going to get too jammed up about the carter/richards thing - especially since both guys haven't been major contributors anyways.

tjand72 wrote:If there's an NHL conspiracy to fabricate the best television ratings, then I must say that the league has failed miserably in its quest to bring in the most viewers....and I must agree with those who say that it would be stupid to root against the Devils to win the cup. They've escaped the East despite everyone saying they can't. They don't have much star power aside from Kovalchuk, and Brodeur is in the twilight of his career.

I hope to God that they win. They've earned it.

I'll say Good Luck to the Kings next year if/when the Pen are out of it, but not this year.

Hold on. Time out. The NHL has probably the 2nd best pair of teams as far as TV ratings go. They have both the NY and LA television markets. Only better of a ratings pull would be the if the Rangers were there instad of the Devils.

shmenguin wrote:especially since both guys haven't been major contributors anyways.

Mike Richards has been very good in these playoffs. Jeff Carter has been non-existant more or less, but Richards is playing very well at both ends of the ice.

i think my expectations of richards were a little out of whack since i wasn't that familiar with his overall offensive decline since his philly golden years. but after looking at how his stats have trended recently, he's actually producing offense at a relatively good clip.

Carter hasn't been all that great but Richards has been sound in a lot of aspects. There is still a trap myth out there that simply isn't 100% true. Both these teams have been in some pretty exciting hockey games in the playoffs.

I think the Kings have more talent and should win but just rooting for fun games to watch. Lame I know but after round 1 there have been some good hockey games sans the rangers collapse defense.

Ps. How many recent ex pens had decent playoffs or didn't look as horrible as they did with us their last year? Fedetenko was killing penalties and scores a few big goals. Scuderi we all know, talbot, Sykora at points and a few more. Maybe it is us.....the system! Haha just kidding. Maybe.

no way can i ever root for a pens division rival to win the cup. just the way i see things as a fan. but as some have mentioned, i was appreciative the devils knocked off even bigger scum in philly and ny!

Well, of course Flyers fans are rooting for Los Angeles...they won't root for New Jersey because that's a rival (more a rival with them, than New Jersey is with us at least) - so right there, by default, they are rooting for Los Angeles. Sure it helps that their prodigal son is there, plus a fan favorite in Gagne and the last goaltender they've had (Hextall as ass't GM). The fact of the matter is, the players that the Flyers deemed weren't going to win with them are going to win against a team that the Flyers got slammed by...

Since trade trees seem to be all the rage...

We know what Richards and Carter got (Simmonds & Schenn; Voracek & Couturier - which is fine, good even)But then there's...Simon Gagne -> Matt Walker and a 4th (Walker has been repeatedly waived and stuff in the minors because he's horrible)Justin Williams --(to Carolina)-> Danny Markov --(to Nashville)-> 3rd round pick --(to Los Angeles)-> (the 3rd round pick was paired with Jeremy Roenick for the Kings to take his salary)

This is the worst final I've seen in ages.How these two teams made it to the final is beyond ludicrous. I've had to watch the kings all year (living here) and they couldn't beat the other seven eastern playoff teams in a 7 game series.